One would say with all this, there was a sufficient array of physical and natural causes against St. Paul to stand for something. In modern language--yea, in the language of good modern Christians--it would be said "What is the use of taking into account any devil or any invisible spirits to account for Paul's trials and difficulties?--it is enough that the whole world has set itself against what he teaches--Jew and Gentile are equally antagonistic to it." But St. Paul says in the face of all this, "We are not wrestling with flesh and blood, but with principalities and powers and the leaders of the darkness of this world, and against wicked spirits in high places;" and St. Peter, recognizing the sufferings and persecutions of the early Christians, says, "Be sober, be vigilant." Why? "Because your adversary, the devil, as a roaring lion, goeth about seeking whom he may devour." In like manner we find in the discourses of our Lord and the Apostles the recognition of a counteracting force of good spirits. When Nathaniel, one of his early disciples, was astonished at his spiritual insight, he said to him, "Thou shalt see greater things than these! Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of man." When he spoke of the importance of little children, he announced that each one of them had a guardian angel who beheld the face of God. When he was transfigured on the Mount, Moses and Elijah appeared in glory, and talked with him of his death that he was to accomplish at Jerusalem. In the hour of his agony in the garden, an angel appeared and ministered to him. When Peter drew a sword to defend him, he said, "Put up thy sword. Thinkest thou that I can not now pray to my Father, and he will give me more than twelve legions of angels?" Thus, between two contending forces of the invisible world was Christianity inaugurated. During the primitive ages the same language was used by the Fathers of the church, and has ever since been traditional. But we need not say that the fashion of modern Protestant theology and the custom of modern Protestant Christianity have been less and less of this sort. We hear from good Christians, and from Christian ministers, talk of this sort: A great deal is laid to the poor devil that he never thought of. If men would take care of their own affairs the devil will let them alone. We hear it said that there is no _evidence_ of the operation of invisible spirits in the course of human affairs. It is all a mere matter of physical, mental, and moral laws working out their mission with unvarying certainty.